Armed Forces Day, 28 June 2014

Society's display of WWI photos

Entrance to the Town Council's marquee

Les Casey, 28 June 2014

Harpenden celebrated Armed Forces Day with a series of events and activities for cadets groups from the surrounding area. Locally and nationally the day was linked to commemoration of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, triggering the start of WWI on 4 August 1914.

John Marlow, Rosemary Ross, and curator, Les Casey, at the end of a busy day!

Gavin Ross, 28 June 2014

The Society mounted a display of photos of Harpenden at the outbreak of war, which attracted a lot of interest. In August 1914, some 5000 territorials of the Sherwood Foresters arrived and were billeted in Harpenden. They trained on the Common; individual soldiers posed outside their billets; groups were photographed on the Common; the YMCA provided assistance. Little did they know of what awaited them once they were transferred to France from the spring of 1915.

Chris Grey lent helmets, a stereoscope and posters from his collection to supplement the display.

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